Ultraviolet/Visible Spectroscopy Purdue University Instrument Van Project Analysis of Plant Pigments Using Paper Chromatography and Visible And/Or Uv Spectros
Ultraviolet/Visible Spectroscopy Purdue University Instrument Van Project Analysis of Plant Pigments Using Paper Chromatography and Visible And/Or Uv Spectros
Ultraviolet/Visible Spectroscopy Purdue University Instrument Van Project Analysis of Plant Pigments Using Paper Chromatography and Visible And/Or Uv Spectros
INTRODUCTION
We have seen that all cells must constantly consume fuel molecules to maintain themselves,
grow, and reproduce. Fuel molecules such as glucose constitute an immediate source of energy
for biological work that can be released by catabolic cell processes. However it is necessary that
life on earth have a constant source of energy that can be harvested and used to generate
complex fuel molecules from simple starting materials. The ultimate energy source upon which
all life forms depend is visible light from the sun.
Light energy must first be transformed into chemical(bond) energy before it can be utilized by
the living cell. This transformation is achieved only in the cells of green plants and certain
bacteria. In green plants it is coupled with a transformation of matter in
which relatively low-energy compounds, carbon dioxide and water, are converted into high
energy chemical molecules that become subunits of carbohydrates.
There are four different pigment groups present in leaves of photosynthesizing plants. Studies
indicate that only the chlorophyll IS involved in the actual absorption of light energy and later
conversion to chemical energy of living cells. The other pigments also absorb light energy, but it
is transferred to the chlorophyll for conversion to chemical energy.
Biochemists have developed a variety of methods for the purification and analysis of
biomolecules. Several of these techniques will be used in this laboratory exercise in order to
isolate and study the photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids.
These include paper chromatography and spectrophotometry.
Paper chromatography separates compounds on paper as solvent carries the mixture up (or
down) the paper by capillary action. Compounds which are very soluble in the solvent move
along with the advancing solvent front, while less soluble compounds travel slowly through the
paper, well behind the solvent front. As a result, the different compounds are separated on the
basis of their solubilities in the chosen solvent. Chlorophyll a is slightly soluble in a 3:1:1
mixture of petroleum ether, acetone, and water.
Carotenoids are very soluble in this solvent system. These solubility differences will allow the
separation of chlorophyll a from the carotenoids and chlorophyll b on a paper chromatogram.
Having purified chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and the carotenoids, you will examine the light
absorption characteristics of the molecules using a spectrophotometer, an instrument which
ULTRAVIOLET/VISIBLE SPECTROSCOPY
measures the absorption of light by a solution at any wavelength(s) selected by the experimenter.
Light visible to the human eye occupies only a small portion of the electromagnetic spectrum,
namely from about 350 to 750 nanometers, or from violet to red. The color of light is also
related to the energy of the light as shown below.
Spectrophotometers and related devices can "sense" not only visible light but other wavelengths
such as ultraviolet as well. The instrument is set to read a certain wavelength and the instrument
reports the amount of light absorbed by the solution at the set wavelength. Obviously by
changing the wavelength setting over the entire range, we can obtain the visible or visible-
ultraviolet light absorption spectrum for any solution or compound.
PURPOSE
To separate pigments from leaves of a green plant using paper chromatography and to determine
the wavelength at which energy is absorbed by the individual pigments using spectrophotometry.
SAFETY
PRE-LAB QUESTIONS
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4. Which wavelength of visible light possesses the greatest energy value, and what is its color?
5. Which wavelength possesses the least energy value, and what is its color?
6. Which pigment(s), chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and/or carotenoids, will travel the farthest on
the chromatography paper?
Optional:
Beckmann DU64 spectrophotometer/4 microcuvets (polystyrene)
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PROCEDURE
DAY ONE
2. With a pencil lightly make a line 1.5 - 2 cm from the bottom edge of the paper which measures
14 cm.
3. Select 2 large dark green spinach leaves and blot dry with paper towels. Place a leaf over the
pencil line leaving 3 mm on each end to align the ruler.
4. Place the widest side of a wooden ruler (without metal edge) over the leaf so that it covers the
pencil line on either end.
5. Using a penny coin, press down firmly and roll along the ruler
edge several times to form a definite green line.
7. Move leaf down and repeat several times until the pencil line is
covered completely with a narrow green band. Be careful not to
smear this green line.
Separation of pigments:
1. Roll 12 cm edges together to form a cylinder with the green line on the outside - do not
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overlap edges.
7. After five minutes lift up corner of wrap and reseal. This will reduce the vapor pressure inside
the beaker.
9. When the solvent front is within 1 cm of the upper edge of the paper, remove the cylinder
from the beaker. Mark the edge of the solvent front with a pencil.
11. Discard the solvent from the 600 mL beaker into the waste container in the fume hood
followed by three volumes of water.
Extraction of pigments:
2. Measure distance from the first pencil line to the solvent front. Then measure the distance
from the pencil line to the highest point of each color band and the original pencil line band.
Record your results.
3. Ideally there should be three distinct colored bands. Cut the bands apart carefully and trim off
excess paper being careful not to cut colored band.
4. Cut each strip into pieces small enough to fit into a large test tube. Label each tube and
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record the color and order of pigment. Place paper pieces in the appropriate test tubes.
5. Add 5 mL of isopropyl alcohol to each tube and seal with small piece of plastic wrap. Allow
to stand until color is completely eluted from the paper. STOPPING POINT!
6. Calculate rf values for each pigment. The rf values should be written on the chalkboard.
DAY TWO
1. Fill to 1/3 a spectrophotometer cuvet with isopropyl alcohol. Label "bl" using a marking pen.
This is the blank used to standardize the spectrophotometer.
3. Transfer solution from test tube containing chlorophyll b pigments to a third cuvet. Label "b".
4. Transfer solution from test tube containing carotene pigments to a fourth cuvet. Label "c".
5. Wipe sides of cuvet with Accuwipe and avoid touching surfaces with fingers. Be sure that the
label does not interfere with the path of the light beam.
1. Turn wavelength control knob to 360 nm. If using Flinn spectrophotometer, turn dial on lower
front of case to the blue filter.
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4. Insert cuvet "a" into sample chamber, close lid and read the ABSORBANCE shown. Record
results. Remove cuvet.
5. Insert cuvet "b" into sample chamber, close lid and read the ABSORBANCE shown. Record
results. Remove cuvet.
6. Insert cuvet "c" into sample chamber, close lid and read the ABSORBANCE shown. Record
results. Remove cuvet.
8. Continue to record results for wavelengths at 20 nm increments, remember to repeat steps #2-
6 for each new wavelength. The final reading is 720 nm. If using the Flinn spectrophotometer,
change to the yellow filter at 520 nm.
Optional
1. If directed by teacher, obtain four polystyrene cuvets. Handle by grooved edge only.
2. Transfer samples from each of the cuvets into three microcuvets, filling each cuvet almost to
the top. Transfer chlorophyll b sample to a fourth microcuvet.
4. Place all four microcuvets into the cell carrier of the Beckmann DU64 spectrophotometer.
5. Program the spectrophotometer according to the direction supplied with the instrument for a
range of 720 nm to 360 nm and scan the absorbance for the four samples.
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Data Table
WAVELENGTH ABSORBANCE
(nm)
Chlorophyll a Chlorophyll b Carotenoids
360
380
400
420
440
460
480
500
520
540
560
580
600
620
640
660
680
700
720
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DATA ANALYSIS
Graph the results from the above data with ABSORBANCE on the Y-axis and
WAVELENGTH (nm) on the X-axis. Use different symbols for the two pigments. Make sure
the graph has a title and legends.
CONCLUSIONS
5. Would you expect a plant to grow well in only green light? Explain.
6. In which colors of light would you expect a plant to obtain maximum photosynthetic activity?
Explain.
8. Why was isopropyl alcohol used to ZERO the spectrophotometer? (to get the 100 % T
setting)
FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS
1. How do you think the results would differ if you had used spinach leaves which had been
stored in a dark room for five days before the experiment? Explain your answer.
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TEACHERS' GUIDE
CLASSROOM USAGE
CONCEPT MAP
Suggested terms:
energy photosynthesis
color carotenoids
light chlorophyll
separation absorption
solubility transmission
absorbance rf
paper chromatography
spectrophotometer
CURRICULUM INTEGRATION
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KEY UNDERSTANDINGS
PREPARATION
Teacher secure fresh, dark green spinach from local sources immediately before doing
this activity and refrigerate until time of usage.
Teacher may desire to prepare a sample graph to demonstrate form to be used and
uniform scales on each axis.
Teacher may desire to take a sample Beckmann DU64 printout of absorbance and
interpret the graph
SOLVENT PREPARATION
1. 180 mL petroleum ether, 60 mL acetone, 60 mL distilled water per class of 12 lab groups.
2. Isopropyl alcohol for extraction is used full strength and must be freshly opened.
TIME
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VARIATIONS/EXTENSIONS
ASSESSMENT
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REFERENCES
Van Bell, Craig, et al, Principles of Biology Laboratory Manual, Morehead State
University, Morehead, Ky.
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